BETHLEHEM – Altogether 15 lions and tigers rescued from the former Zoo Luján in Argentina have arrived safely at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary near Bethlehem, beginning a new chapter in their lives after years of captivity.
The nine tigers and six lions arrived at Lionsrock during the week of 17 August, after travelling thousands of kilometres from Argentina to South Africa as part of an international rescue operation led by Four Paws, a global animal welfare organisation. The rescue mission began on Monday 17 August, when Four Paws started relocating 30 lions and tigers from the former Zoo Luján in Argentina.
A total of 15 of the animals – 8 tigers and 7 lions – were relocated to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, America, while the remaining 15 animals – 9 tigers and 6 lions – were brought to Lionsrock in South Africa.
Zoo Luján – located near Buenos Aires, and famous for letting visitors touch and feed big cats – was closed by Argentine authorities in 2020 following concerns about animal welfare.
The rescued animals are now being given the opportunity to live in environments that better meet their natural behavioural and welfare needs.
After arriving at Lionsrock, the big cats were carefully moved into specially prepared adaptation enclosures.
They are being given time and space to settle into their new surroundings while their health and behaviour are closely monitored.
For many of the animals, the move marks their first opportunity to experience more spacious and natural surroundings after years of confinement.
Fiona Miles, director of Four Paws South Africa, described the arrival as an emotional milestone for the rescue teams involved.
Four Paws is the global welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them.
“The arrival of these lions and tigers at Lionsrock marks the beginning of a chapter for animals who have endured years of hardship. Seeing them finally step into an environment where they can simply be lions and tigers is incredibly emotional and rewarding for our teams around the world,” says Miles.
The transfer was months in the planning and involved veterinarians, animal welfare experts, transport specialists and sanctuary teams from several countries.
The welfare of the animals remained a priority throughout the operation.
Since their arrival, the Lionsrock animal care team has been closely monitoring their behaviour, appetite and mobility as they adjust to their new home.
Enrichment activities and carefully managed daily routines are also being used to support the animals during their transition.
Hildegard Pirker, sanctuary manager at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary, said the coming weeks would be particularly important as the animals adapt to their new surroundings.
“Every lion and tiger responds differently to change, particularly after long periods of confinement.
“Our team is monitoring them closely and giving them the time and space they need to adapt at their own pace,” says Pirker.
She added that several of the animals were already showing encouraging signs of curiosity and confidence.
Lionsrock provides rescued lions and tigers with a safe and species-appropriate environment where they can live without exploitation and receive expert care for the remainder of their lives.
The rescue forms part of Four Paws’ ongoing emergency mission in Argentina, following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the Argentine government in 2025 to improve the welfare and protection of big cats in the country.
The arrival of the 15 big cats at Lionsrock highlights the importance of international collaboration in giving animals rescued from exploitation the opportunity to live safer, more natural lives.
